Meat on a stick. You can’t beat it with…um…a stick. I’m dubbing this summer the unofficial Season of Skewers.

The great things about grilling kebobs, kebabs, or skewers (take your pick) are 1.) they take no time to cook, and 2.) they take so well to marinades.

In a Greek kind of mood? Whisk some lemon juice, oil, garlic, and oregano, and douse your favorite food. Jones-ing for little sumthin’-sumthin’ Asian style? I feel you. Whip up some peanut sauce, massage it into chicken chunks, and you have dinner.

Even veggies get kicked up when paired with halloumi cheese and slathered in a kickass harissa glaze.

So dig out your metal, wood, or cast-iron skewers from the drawer, clean that grill, and serve up food the way summer demands: on a stick.

David Leite's handwritten signature of 'David.'
An eggplant kebab on a tortilla with fresh spinach, garlic sauce, and cabbage.
Nina Olsson
1 of 5

Eggplant Kebabs

These eggplant kebabs are marinated and grilled, tucked into a pita, and smothered with a tangy garlic sauce and assorted veggies. It just happens to be vegan although if you don’t mention it, folks, the meat-eaters among you may forget.
Two grilled scallop kabobs on a blue oval platter with a dish of dipping sauce on the side.
Kristin Teig
2 of 5

Grilled Scallop Kabobs

These easy grilled sea scallop kabobs are briefly marinated in oil, garlic, and sumac, then grilled and served with a smoky scallion dipping sauce. An easy summer entree.
Sheet pan beef skewers piled on a foil-lined baking sheet with a dish of white sauce and lemon wedges.
David Malosh
3 of 5

Sheet Pan Beef Skewers

These sheet pan beef skewers are a quick and easy meal from Melissa Clark. Beef sirloin is marinated in oil, garlic, and fragrant spices, skewered and quickly broiled, and served with a cilantro and mint yogurt sauce.
Four grilled vegetable skewers with harissa-marinated halloumi.
Mowie Kay
4 of 5

Grilled Vegetable Skewers

These grilled vegetable skewers with harissa-marinated halloumi are made with pieces of grilled pepper, mushroom, asparagus, and onion interspersed with chunks of grill-friendly Greek cheese tossed in a spicy paste. Here’s how to make them.
A metal plate with chunks of cooked turkey, a turkey kebab, and a dish of cucumber salad.
Gentl & Hyers
5 of 5

Turkey Kebabs

This simple, fresh, and healthy meal of marinated grilled turkey kebabs with cucumber salad doesn't require you to turn on the stove or oven, making it perfect for hot summer days.

Skewer FAQs

Can skewers be reused?

If you’re using metal skewers, then yes, give them a good cleaning after each use, and they’re safe to use again and again. Wooden or bamboo skewers are single-use only and should tossed after using.

Do wooden skewers need to be soaked?

Yep. Wooden skewers should be soaked for at least 30 minutes before use. This prevents the wood from burning while the food is cooking.

How do I make sure my food cooks evenly on the skewer?

Don’t pack the pieces of food too tightly on the skewer. Leaving a little space between each piece of meat will allow it to cook evenly.

Turn your skewers several times during cooking to encourage even browning. A pair of tongs is the best tool for this. Don’t want to barbecue your fingers.

These recipes offer plenty of options for an easy skewered meal, and feel free to use them as a guide and get as creative as you like. Choose your favorite marinade, like this easy Greek marinade, a quick-cooking protein, and an assortment of veggies, and load up your skewers. What’s your favorite combo?

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About David Leite

I’ve received three James Beard Awards for my writing as well as for Leite’s Culinaria. I’m the author of The New Portuguese Table and Notes on a Banana. For more than 25 years, I’ve been developing and testing recipes for my site, my books, and publications. My work has also appeared in the New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Yankee, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and more. I’m also a cooking teacher, memoirist, and inveterate cat lady.


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